Pictured from left to right back row: Vaclav Konecny Jr., Jakub Pala, Ludek Pala and , professor Vaclav Konecny. Front row: Dominik Pala, Samuel Chavent and Henrik Pala.
This was on Christmas Eve. We had traditional Czech Christmas Eve dinner consisting of mushroom soup, Lake Trout and Whitefish from Lake Huron and potato salad.
Desserts varied from mom’s kolache, Polish kolache, cream rolls, French macarons and a French log.
The best part was that my parents could join us from Big Rapids and Emma flew in with Sam from France.
There were 12 of us so we were like 12 apostles. Presents were plentiful.
I have yet to take a photo of the best one. A huge poster for our Moravian Sons Distillery tasting room in @The Old Theater in downtown Lowell.
Stay tuned for more Christmas news.
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Join us for @Moravian Sons Distillery free sampling of spirits and signature cocktails tomorrow July 25 from 4 to 6 pm at the Cherry Valley Marathon Gas Station in Caledonia, Michigan.
We have regular tastings at the area Marathon gas stations on Lincoln Lake and in Belding, and at local liquor stores in West Michigan.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to taste sunshine in every glass.
Our portfolio of spirits: Apple, Peach, Pear and Plum.
Moravian Sons cocktails: Applejack Rabbit, Blueberry Crush and Jack Rose.
On this day, Aug. 21 I always observe the anniversary of the Soviet occupation of former Czechoslovakia which prompted an exodus of entire generations of Czechs and Slovaks. We were among them searching for our place in the free world. And we found it in the USA in the early 1970s.
While living in the free world, I’ve made several observations based on my experience from the old socialist and new capitalist worlds. I’ve been privileged enough to compare the two. Here are my insights.
Nothing is more valuable than personal and societal freedom; the freedom to do business and religious freedom. No one has ever considered us as “Auslanders” or outsiders in the USA as new doors opened ahead of us.
We took on new challenges and opportunities as we built on our experience in different countries including Canada and Africa. I can’t speak for the rest of the family, but I have no regrets about leaving the old country. I honor the traditions, and the past while moving ahead.
Whenever I talk about my Greenwich Meridian Memoir, memories come back to me in a good way. I use them constructively to avoid the mistakes made by many, which is not always easy.
“I feel lucky to be standing here and telling this story,” I usually conclude my talk.
Unfortunately, history repeats itself, if we don’t guard it carefully.
Stand up for freedom.
My next author’s event will be on Sept. 14- Saugatuck Art in the Park from 10 am to 4 pm in Wicks Park at 449 Water St.
Czech Easter traditions depicted in the feature Easter photo. They include hand-braided whips from willow branches, the wooden noise maker, hand-crafted plum brandy by our very own Moravian Sons Distillery, colorful eggs and the first spring flowers.
Today is my dad Vaclav Konecny’s name day, and my brother’s as well. Vaclav is the regular modernized version of Wenceslas, which was a royal name for the kings of Bohemia. It is a national holiday in the Czech Republic also known as ‘Czech Statehood Day’ that has been celebrated since 2000.
Sept. 28 is the feast day of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia, and it commemorates his death in 935. St. Wenceslas was the duke of Bohemia and the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, he was the victim of a murder plot orchestrated by Boleslav, who was his own brother. People celebrate this feast with festivals around the nation.
The main square in Prague is called “Vaclavak” or Vaclavske Namesti. It’s more a boulevard than a square and it is the busiest place in Prague, and traditionally a place for gatherings and manifestations, the site of Christmas markets. The statue of St. Wenceslas adorns the boulevard at the top along with the National Museum.
Throughout the years, “Vaclavak”, originally known as Konsky Trh or Horse Market, has witnessed many demonstrations, both sad and joyful events; invasion of Soviet tanks in 1968, demonstrations against the Soviet occupation, 1989 Velvet Revolution demonstrations and demonstrations on Sept. 3 of this year against the current government.
A big celebration planned for Wenceslas Square on Sept. 28, 2022 has been canceled due to security reasons, as a protest is scheduled to take place on the square. The protest called “Czech Republic First” is taking place right now.
“Vaclavak” is the site of a big seasonal market offering beers, food, and souvenirs.
Happy name day to my father Vaclav who inspired my memoir Greenwich Meridian Memoir about our family immigration saga from former Czechoslovakia to the USA.
My dad Vaclav grilling on Memorial Day 2022
Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Words can be weapons. That is my horoscope for the first day in June. As an author and journalist I find this to be very true, but also motivating to reach higher and go farther in everything I do.
The horoscope is basically warning me to watch what I write or say today. As I always I will speak my heart.
I am looking forward to the upcoming release of my new book “Shifting Sands: The Lost Town” in the Shifting Sands franchise and my first event of the season Palmer Park Art Fair in Detroit this weekend.
GREENWICH MERIDIAN MEMOIR, PALMER PARK ART FAIR, DETROIT
For all the Czechs living in the greater Detroit area organized around Sokol & other groups, stop by at booth no. 140e in the authors’ tent at the Palmer Park Art Fair.
I will be signing my Greenwich Meridian Memoir about our family immigration saga from former Czechoslovakia to the USA. The book is set on the backdrop of two major political events: 1968 Prague Spring and 1989 Velvet Revolution.
The protagonist is my father professor Vaclav Konecny whose ambition took us across three continents and back to Czechoslovakia for the presidential amnesty in 1973. Will he make it back to the USA?
Read your free Taurus Daily Horoscope to discover how the stars will align for you today! Reveal the hidden opportunities coming your way and any obstacles to be prepared for.
— Read on http://www.tarot.com/daily-horoscope/taurus/2022-06-01
A now-derelict building where Czech martyr Palach and victim of communism Toufar spent their final hours will be transformed into a memorial to both men.
Featured photo is from FB Praha 2 page.
— Read on www.expats.cz/
This is a traveling panel exhibit on loan from the National Czech and Slovak Museum (NCSM) in Cedar Rapids now installed at the Czech and Slovak Ed.Center & Historical Museum in Omaha through Feb. 27.
If you’re in the area, check it out in person or browse through our website to find out more about your roots.
The Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 am to 5 p.m. Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Give us your feedback in the comment section below.
Check out this oral history project “Leaving Czechoslovakia” during the Cold War.
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